Tourism Department has an ambitious plan to focus on Ganga Ghats in Patna
as a major tourist attraction. Under this plan the department would be
developing/strengthening certain identified Ghats as Evening Prayer
Ghats (on the lines of similar practice in Varanasi, where "Sandhya
Ganga Aarti" has proved to be extremely popular), developing Ganga
cruise with dining facility (a 48 cover floating restaurant would be
plying on the river Ganges shortly), and developing week end motor boat
picnics on the river Ganges.

Hon'ble Minister Tourism inaugurated the motor boat picnic in the Ganges
on 1st June, 2007 at 4.30 PM. Under this scheme BSTDC is running 2 eight
seater motor boats from Gandhi Ghat (near Engineering College), down
stream in the Ganges. These motor boats would not only afford a fun
filled and exciting river journey to the tourists but would also take
them to a river Island. The river island would have arrangements for
rest, recreation and eatables. The river island would have facilities
for Volley ball, Cricket, Flying disc, Ring ball etc. In addition there
would be facilities for mouth watering food stuffs like Samosa, noodles,
mineral water, ice-cream, tea, coffee and a variety of light snacks.
Both the sports facilities and eatables can be availed on nominal
payments. Picnickers would have the option of buying food coupons and
sports coupon either from Gandhi Ghat or from the river island. The
rates of food coupons and sports coupon is as follows:

Food Coupon

Tea

Rs. 5.00 per cup

Coffee

Rs. 5.00 per cup

Jaljeera

Rs. 5.00 per glass

Sudha Mattha

Printed Rate +1-% service charges (making round off)

Mineral Water

Rs. 12.00 per bottle

Veg Pakora
(6 pieces)

Rs. 25.00 per plate

Samosa

Rs. 5.00 per piece

Noodles

Rs. 10.00 per plate

Chips

Printed Rate +1-% service charges (making round off)

Kurkure

Printed Rate +1-% service charges (making round off)

Sports Coupon

Volley Ball

Rs. 10.00/1/2 hrs

Cricket

Rs. 10.00/1/2 hrs

Flying Disc

Rs. 05.00/1/2 hrs

Ring ball

Rs. 05.00/12 hrs

Those who are not interested in eatables or sports activities can relax
under reclining chairs, colourful sun umbrellas and chhatari being
provided by BSTDC.

In the initial phase BSTDC would provide the aforesaid facilities for
people of Patna on every Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 P.M. to 6:20 P.M.
in the evening. Developing on response these facilities would be
extended.

The price of one boat ride ticket has been kept at Rs. 50.00 per person.
The tickets would be available in BSTDC's, Hotel Kautilya Vihar, Beer
Chand Patel, Patna-1, BSTDC's Chandragupta Jal Vihar (Moinul Haque
Stadium, Rajendra Nagar), Airport Counter of BSTDC and Gandhi Ghat.
BSTDC would also provide free pickup and drop service to groups of 14 or
more picnickers making unblock reservations. BSTDC would also provide
these boats on chartered bookings on week days also.

Each motor boat is fitted with Yamaha 25 HP Air-cooled two strokes
engine. Each boat is also equipped with individual life jackets for each
passenger (eight life jackets per boat). In addition each boat has two
buyers (floating tubes) each.

If you are lucky you could spot schools of Ganges dolphins (locally
called "Sonse") while enjoying this weekend boat ride on Ganges.